Pest control experts are to overhaul a transatlantic jet after reported sightings of a mouse have led to flights being cancelled twice in less than a month.

A Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Heathrow was delayed on Sunday night after a mouse was spotted in the cabin and passengers were transferred to another plane.

The 147 passengers on the Boeing 767 were told that the mouse's presence meant that the plane had to be evacuated.

They continued on to London in another jet after airport officials told them that a mouse could create a safety hazard by crewing through electrical wire and hydraulic lines.

Delta confirmed yesterday that the rodent alert occurred on the same plane that was evacuated less than three weeks ago after a mouse was spotted just before it took off on the same New York to London journey.

The airline said it was "working with pest control experts in case remedial action is needed".

"Out of precaution, we changed the aeroplane. Plain and simple, there's not supposed to be a mouse on the aeroplane," said a Delta spokesman about the second evacuation.